Keystone Inaction Hurts American Families

From Cathy McMorris-Rogers, for the GOP conference:

WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement today on the 5th anniversary of the first application to begin construction of the Keystone XL pipeline:

"The President's refusal to approve the Keystone XL pipeline is hurting American families. Five years ago today, the first permits were filed to begin construction on the pipeline, and the project remains impeded by the President’s political posturing. And the consequences are significant. To the American people, this means 20,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs that will not be available. It means $7 billion that won't be invested in the U.S. economy. And it means 830,000 barrels per day of North American oil that won't be transported.

"Our economy is in a state of stagnation – and recent numbers only paint a grimmer picture. The Census Bureau just today announced that the percentage of Americans on food stamps has risen yet again. Just days ago, we passed the bitter milestone of 1,000 days where gas prices have hovered around $3 per gallon.

"The President's policies continue to make life more difficult for hardworking Americans – from gas pumps to grocery stores. Approving the Keystone XL pipeline would create shovel-ready jobs and ease the burden on America's working families. They've waited long enough, and they can no longer afford to pay the price for the President's inaction. It's time for the President to put people before politics."